Brisbane and Fremantle container terminals are facing strikes, work bans and overtime refusals dockers in a quest for a six per cent pay increase in a four-year contract, Shippingazette reports.
The employer Patrick, a unit of transport giant Asciano, is seeking arbitration to settle the dispute with the Maritime Union of Australia, which said its action follows 12 months of unsuccessful talks.
Eight 7,150-TEU and twelve 16,400-TEU have may be affected by dockers' strikes at Brisbane on the east coast, said Patrick, reported Australia's Business Spectator. On the west coast at Fremantle's container terminal, strikes may affect six 4,400-TEU ships.
Meeting union demands would cost Patrick A$23.3 million (US$22.28 million) a year, a total of A$2.91 million without any productivity gains, the company said.
Sydney and Melbourne ports are troubled with go-slows and work-to-rule campaigns.
The employer Patrick, a unit of transport giant Asciano, is seeking arbitration to settle the dispute with the Maritime Union of Australia, which said its action follows 12 months of unsuccessful talks.
Eight 7,150-TEU and twelve 16,400-TEU have may be affected by dockers' strikes at Brisbane on the east coast, said Patrick, reported Australia's Business Spectator. On the west coast at Fremantle's container terminal, strikes may affect six 4,400-TEU ships.
Meeting union demands would cost Patrick A$23.3 million (US$22.28 million) a year, a total of A$2.91 million without any productivity gains, the company said.
Sydney and Melbourne ports are troubled with go-slows and work-to-rule campaigns.